User Reviews

Mac Kelly's Greens n' Things

Posted by Jeff the Chef on 05/04/2015

Healthy, Tasty, Food

Everyone who talks about Mac Kelly's talks about the salad bar. The South Loop location doesn't have one. The space isn't big enough to accommodate a bar, but the owner wanted to add a link to his chain here in spite of that. This one does offer, though, a wide spread of made-to-order salads that can be served straight up, or as burritos or wraps. I had the Tex Mex Burrito with Steak: brown rice, black beans, carrots, corn, avocado, jack and cheddar cheeses, pico de gallo, cilantro-lime vinaigrette, lightly grilled in a wholewheat tortilla. All the burritos (which can be ordered in a bowl, sans tortilla, if you wish) are vegetarian, with protein up-sells. (I chose steak.) A large portion. Very fresh; the filling is unmelded, which betrays it as a type of salad, but don't let the word "salad" make you think "light." It's dense and filling ... but don't let the word "dense" make you think Taco Bell XXL Grilled Stuft Steak Burrito. Mac Kelly's burrito is going to fill you up with goodness, rather than weigh you down with deep regret. I washed it down with Joe's Peach Tea and a Classic Lemonade (I was very thirsty): an all-natural, under-the-radar alternative to Snapple and Arizona. Peach: lots of sweet, juicy peach, a nice hit of tea without bitterness. Lemonade: excellent balance of sweet to tart. A tiny smattering of pulp. No table service. It's more of a take-out place, although there is limited bar seating along the window if you want to eat there.